What are the most dangerous intersections in Los Angeles?

By Michael Shemtoub, trial attorney, Beverly Law. Updated November 2026.

The city’s list: LADOT’s Vision Zero scoring

The Vision Zero Safety Study, prepared for the City of Los Angeles in January 2024, updated the High Injury Network using 2017 to 2021 data. The network now covers 549 miles, 7.5% of the city’s roads, and accounts for 61.8% of collisions where someone was killed or severely injured. An earlier version, built from 2009 to 2013 data, was described as the 6% of streets with nearly two-thirds of the people killed while walking or biking (LADOT 2018 progress report).

The study scores collisions by severity and by who was involved. It then adds contextual factors such as high traffic volume, high speeds, truck routes, nearby schools and bus stops. For all modes, its four highest-scoring intersections are Florence Avenue and Vermont Avenue, Avalon Boulevard and Century Boulevard, La Brea Avenue and Obama Boulevard, and Century Boulevard and Main Street. The study keeps separate lists by mode. 7th Street and Olive Street ranks first for bicyclists, and Hayvenhurst Avenue and Sherman Way first for vehicles. The pedestrian list:

The crash-count list: Crosstown’s 2025 analysis

Crosstown ranked intersections by the number of serious collisions in LAPD data from February 2021 through February 28, 2025 (Crosstown, Oct. 15, 2025). LAPD’s switch to a new records system left gaps, so Crosstown filled in 2025 with Compstat reports. The article does not define “serious.”

• Slauson Avenue and Figueroa Street: 66 serious collisions, including 17 felony hit-and-runs, five severe injuries and seven pedestrians struck. It sits about a block from a 110 Freeway exit.
• Sepulveda Boulevard and Roscoe Boulevard in Panorama City: 65, about two blocks from the 405.
• Roscoe Boulevard and Van Nuys Boulevard: 59, including 14 felony hit-and-runs, which ABC7 placed in the first five (ABC7).

Citywide, LAPD Traffic Division data showed 302 traffic deaths in 2024, down 12.5% from the year before (Crosstown, Jan. 27, 2025).

Why the two lists name different corners

The city weighs severity and street features, while Crosstown counts reports. A corner with many reported crashes can lead a count even if few were deadly, while a corner on a fast truck route near a school can rank high on the city’s score. The data years differ too.

The city study also points to causes. Unsafe speed was the primary factor in 40% of vehicle-only crashes that killed someone. Nearly 75% of pedestrian crashes that killed or badly hurt someone happened while the person was crossing the road. If you were on foot, our page on being hit while crossing the street in Los Angeles covers fault and insurance.

Can you claim against the city over an intersection?

A corner’s place on either list does not prove the city is at fault. You still have to meet Gov. Code 835: a dangerous condition of public property, a foreseeable risk of the injury, and either an employee’s act that created it or notice in time to fix it.

Two sections narrow intersection claims. Under Gov. Code 830.4, a road is not dangerous merely because it lacks a traffic signal, stop sign, yield sign or speed limit sign. Under Gov. Code 830.8, a missing warning sign is not a basis for liability unless a warning was needed for a hazard a careful driver would not notice. Facts that fit these rules look different, for example a signal that kept malfunctioning after the city had reports of it.

The claim goes to the city’s clerk, secretary or auditor under Gov. Code 915, generally within six months (Gov. Code 911.2). Our page on the six-month claim against a city explains the steps.

Intersection claims in Texas and Washington

Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou.

What this means for your case

Many intersection crashes are claims against the other driver, and fault usually turns on the signal phase and who had the right of way. Our four-way stop FAQ covers the stop-sign rules. Ask early for signal timing records and any work orders for that corner, since they show whether a light was out. Corner businesses and buses often hold the only video, as our guide to traffic camera footage in Los Angeles explains. Our Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyers handle claims at these corners.

Common questions

Related pages

Injury law FAQs

Important: This page is general information, not legal or medical advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou. Last reviewed: November 7, 2026.